High Cholesterol: Myths and Facts

How To Lower Cholesterol Without Drugs

Richard asks the doctor the following question about lowering cholesterol:

Do you know much about how to lower cholesterol without drugs?
My doc says that I need to lower mine and since I am ALREADY
a vegetarian, she says that my diet is fine, "genetics" is the problem.
The only animal products I eat are butter, yogurt and ice cream,oh and salmon too.
My sister says that both my father and mother have taken medication
for high cholesterol for some time, so I guess I'm right in the cross-hairs.
My doc recommended 20mg of a statin drug called Zocor. From what I've
read, it doesn't appeal to me much. Besides, I'd hate to lose my virginity : )
I don't really take any drugs for anything.
Thanks for your advice,

-Ric

Hi Richard,

Your question is excellent. The problem with cholesterol is the way that most medical doctors still view the issue. The information your doctor gave you is at least 15 years outdated by now. The standard "good cholesterol"/"bad cholesterol" test is over 50 years old! I first learned about one of the newer concepts regarding cholesterol at a symposium called "Preventative Cardiology 2003 Symposium," in October, 2003 at St. John's Cardiovascular Research Center, Los Angeles.

The concept being taught, was that cholesterol is only a problem if an LDL sub-fraction called "small, dense, LDL particles" is present. These were supposed to be the "baddest of the bad." If not present, the risk for cardiovascular disease was considerably less (in one study, the risk for cardiovascular problems was 3.6 fold more if they were present). So, even if you have elevated LDL cholesterol levels, the bottom line: no SD-LDLs, no big worry.

50% of people who have a heart attack or stroke don't have high cholesterol1

Advanced Cholesterol Tests: The Only Ones You Really Need

The advanced cholesterol tests for this sub-fraction of LDL are called Lipoprotein fractionization: NMR Lipo Profile, Beta Quantification, non-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, Lipoprotein Particle Profile (LPP), and LipoprintTM. We can order an advanced cholesterol test at my Los Angeles office.

But there's more! The concept of

oxidized cholesterol

vs. "cholesterol" in general is something I learned at a seminar in Los Angeles called "Keys To Cardiovascular Health" in October of 2006. Here is the key point: Unless your cholesterol is oxidized, there is no dire concern to lower it! In other words, a high cholesterol number is virtually meaningless without knowing if you have oxidized cholesterol or not.

The latest research in Nature Medicine published January 26, 2014 confirms this knowledge:

Apolipoprotein A1 (apoA1) is the primary protein present in HDL, providing the structure of the molecule that allows it to transfer cholesterol out of the artery wall and deliver it to the liver, from which the cholesterol is excreted. The apoA1 normally gives HDL its cardio-protective qualities, but Dr. J.E. Hazen and colleagues at the Cleveland Clinic have discovered that in the artery wall during atherosclerosis, a large proportion of apoA1 becomes oxidized and no longer contributes to cardiovascular health, but rather, contributes to the development of coronary artery disease.

You want more Apo A1 vs. Apo B, but if the Apo A1 is oxidized it doesn't help you; it hurts you! I can order the the Apo B to Apo A1 ratio test for you when you come to my office. It is better at predicting your cardiovascular risk than a standard cholesterol test. Then, to find out if you have oxidized cholesterol, we can do a simple urine test, available at my office called the OxidataTM urine test. The Oxidata test can detect if your cholesterol is oxidized or not. If the Oxidata test shows that it is not oxidized, the elevated cholesterol is NOT your main problem.

There's more. The National Centers for Biological Information (ncbi) website contains a plethora of research regarding lowering cholesterol. For example, one study on rats showed that dietary acetic acid reduced serum total cholesterol. This is analogous to having a strong enough stomach acid capability when you eat. But what "remedy" would disturb your stomach environment more than anything else? Using antacids. That's right, taking antacids could be the reason cholesterol goes up in the first place.

8 out of 10 common side effects of cholesterol drugs are related to gastro-intestinal health such as: Stomach pain, Stomach upset, Gas, Bloating, Cramping, Nausea, Diarrhea and Constipation. Antacids can make these symptoms worse. Taking apple cider vinegar, cranberry juice, or lemon juice with your meal can help make your stomach's environment good enough to lower cholesterol naturally. Don't be fooled by TV ads. Enough stomach acid is necessary. Lack of stomach acid gives you heartburn.

As a matter of fact, cholesterol has an important function in the body. Like preserving brain function and preventing memory loss. It transports essential fats to the places you need them the most, like your brain! It also is a precursor to your hormones. Cholesterol is used to repair vascular abrasions. I first discussed the idea about this relationship between cholesterol and repair of arterial abrasions with my brother, who is an expert in nutritional supplements and their functional application. Afterwards, when I saw the same concept being presented in the "Keys to Cardiovascular Health" seminar, I knew this revised concept regarding cholesterol was gaining wider scientific acceptance.

If the "high" cholesterol is being produced as a "protective" mechanism by your body, then why in the world would a medical doctor say you need to lower yours? In effect, you would be defeating your body's innate intelligence. What you really need to address is the cause of your body's need to produce extra protection (extra cholesterol).

The cause of higher cholesterol is NOT "genetics." It is extremely rare for a condition to be truly genetic. Very few chronic diseases are proven as truly genetic in nature. Research demonstrates that our genes are responsive to their environment (see my article about preventing chronic disease). So when doctors want to blame things on genetics, it shows me that they would rather use this outdated "genetics" excuse, than admit they just have no idea about the true causes of high cholesterol. Furthermore, they have no real long-term solutions to lower cholesterol without drugs. Drugs are a short term solution; they are not an acceptable long-term solution.

Our bodies need cholesterol

to produce bile, which emulsifies essential dietary fats. Imagine that a person is not fully able to emulsify their essential dietary fats because there is not enough bile acid production, because junk fats have compromised the function of the gall bladder. To compensate, the body produces more cholesterol. Why? In order to produce more bile acids. It is a back-up mechanism in order to get all the nutrition needed from the essential fats. What good would be done to lower cholesterol in this case? NONE! Instead it would be better to support essential fat digestion with the correct digestive enzymes as determined during your initial visit exam in Beverly Hills. Then, there would be no more NEED for higher cholesterol production, by your liver.

"The adverse effects suffered by people taking statins are more common than reported in the media and at medical conferences...
Increased rates of cancer, cataracts, diabetes, cognitive impairments and musculoskeletal disorders more than offset the modest cardiovascular benefits of statin treatment."2

Cut out high carbohydrate foods like pasta, bread, and potatoes, and eat much less sugar (you will probably lose weight too). Give it a few months before taking your next cholesterol test, and use more specific and

advanced cholesterol tests

like the ones we can order for you at my office. Now you can more clearly see the difference between the conventional medical approach of masking your symptoms with statin drugs like Lipitor, simvastatin, lovastatin, or Crestor, vs. our natural medicine, integrative chiropractor's approach. When you need support against oxidative stress (not just vitamin C, or ascorbic acid), we determine this at my office, along with which digestive enzymes, clinical nutrition, and hundreds of other possible needs you may have.

Let us help you with The Underlying Reasons WHY Your Cholesterol Is High.
Get your initial appointment. Call Us Today!

I have developed a simple, clinical nutrition program to help you lower cholesterol without drugs. Addditionally I have found a neurological connection to high cholesterol that is very exciting. By addressing one patien't concussion neurology and without drugs, her stubborn, chronic, high cholesterol came down by 65 points! Make an appointment and we can start right away.

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